F&I Management & Training

Australian-based car dealer Neville Crichton, who is the biggest shareholder in luxury UK car dealer HR Owen, could make a bid for the group. He has increased his stake in the dealership group to more than 27% and has said that HR Owen is a company with 'extremely good brands'. He added: "I'm not making a takeover bid at this point, but it's certainly worth a premium. [It] is like the Harrods of the car business in the UK. It certainly interests me." HR Owen franchises include Bentley, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Lamborghini. The company has been the subject of much ownership speculation over the past two years.

DATED: 26.02.08

FEED: AW